The man of the desert

Project Gutenberg's The Man of the Desert, by Grace Livingston Hill This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Title: The Man of the Desert Author: Grace Livingston Hill Release Date: May 28, 2007 [EBook #21633] Language: English *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MAN OF THE DESERT *** Produced by Suzanne Lybarger, Brian Janes and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net The Man of the Desert BY GRACE LIVINGSTON HILL AUTHOR OF MARCIA SCHUYLER, PHŒBE DEANE, DAWN OF THE MORNING, LO, MICHAEL, ETC Emblem GROSSET & DUNLAP PUBLISHERS NEW YORK Made in the United States of America Copyright, 1914, by FLEMING H REVELL COMPANY New York: 158 Fifth Avenue Chicago: 125 North Wabash Ave Toronto: 25 Richmond Street, W London: 21 Paternoster Square Edinburgh: 100 Princes Street Contents I PROSPECTING II THE MAN 24 III THE DESERT 43 IV THE QUEST 64 V THE TRAIL 86 VI CAMP 101 VII REVELATION 116 VIII RENUNCIATION 130 IX "FOR REMEMBRANCE" 148 X HIS MOTHER 162 XI REFUGE 180 XII QUALIFYING FOR SERVICE 197 XIII THE CALL OF THE DESERT 218 XIV HOME 232 XV THE WAY OF THE CROSS 253 XVI THE LETTER 267 XVII DEDICATION 284 I PROSPECTING It was morning, high and clear as Arizona counts weather, and around the little railroad station were gathered a crowd of curious onlookers; seven Indians, three women from nearby shacks—drawn thither by the sight of the great private car that the night express had left on a side track—the usual number of loungers, a swarm of children, besides the station agent who had come out to watch proceedings All the morning the private car had been an object of deep interest to those who lived within sight, and that was everybody on the plateau; and many and various had been the errands and excuses to go to the station that perchance the occupants of that car might be seen, or a glimpse of the interior of the moving palace; but the silken curtains had remained drawn until after nine o'clock Within the last half hour, however, a change had taken place in the silent inscrutable car The curtains had parted here and there, revealing dim flitting faces, a table spread with a snowy cloth and flowers in a vase, wild flowers they were, too, like those that grew all along the track, just weeds Strange that one who could afford a private car cared for weeds in a glass on their dining-table, but then perhaps they didn't know A fat cook with ebony skin and white linen attire had appeared on the rear platform beating eggs, and half whistling, half singing: "Be my little baby Bumble-bee— Buzz around, buzz around——" He seemed in no wise affected or embarrassed by the natives who gradually encircled the end of the car, and the audience grew They could dimly see the table where the inmates of the car were—dining?— it couldn't be breakfast at that hour surely They heard the discussion about horses going on amid laughter and merry conversation, and they gathered that the car was to remain here for the day at least while some of the party went off on a horseback trip It was nothing very unusual of course Such things occasionally occurred in that region, but not often enough to lose their interest Besides, to watch the tourists who chanced to stop in their tiny settlement was the only way for them to learn the fashions Not that all the watchers stood and stared around the car No, indeed They made their headquarters around the station platform from whence they took brief and comprehensive excursions down to the freight station and back, going always on one side of the car and returning by way of the other Even the station agent felt the importance of the occasion, and stood around with all the selfconsciousness of an usher at a grand wedding, considering himself master of ceremonies "Sure! They come from the East last night Limited dropped 'em! Going down to prospect some mine, I reckon They ordered horses an' a outfit, and Shag Bunce is goin' with 'em He got a letter 'bout a week ago tellin' what they wanted of him Yes, I knowed all about it He brung the letter to me to cipher out fer him You know Shag ain't no great at readin' ef he is the best judge of a mine anywheres about." Thus the station agent explained in low thrilling tones; and even the Indians watched and grunted their interest At eleven o'clock the horses arrived, four besides Shag's, and the rest of the outfit The onlookers regarded Shag with the mournful interest due to the undertaker at a funeral Shag felt it and acted accordingly He gave short, gruff orders to his men; called attention to straps and buckles that every one knew were in as perfect order as they could be; criticized the horses and his men; and every one, even the horses, bore it with perfect composure They were all showing off and felt the importance of the moment Presently the car door opened and Mr Radcliffe came out on the platform accompanied by his son—a handsome reckless looking fellow—his daughter Hazel, and Mr Hamar, a thick-set, heavy-featured man with dark hair, jaunty black moustache and handsome black eyes In the background stood an erect elderly woman in tailor-made attire and with a severe expression, Mr Radcliffe's elder sister who was taking the trip with them expecting to remain in California with her son; and behind her hovered Hazel's maid These two were not to be of the riding party, it appeared There was a pleasant stir while the horses were brought forward and the riders were mounting The spectators remained breathlessly unconscious of anything save the scene being enacted before them Their eyes lingered with special interest on the girl of the party Miss Radcliffe was small and graceful, with a head set on her pretty shoulders like a flower on its stem Moreover she was fair, so fair that she almost dazzled the eyes of the men and women accustomed to brown cheeks kissed by the sun and wind of the plain There was a wild-rose pink in her cheeks to enhance the whiteness, which made it but the more dazzling She had masses of golden hair wreathed round her dainty head in a bewilderment of waves and braids She had great dark eyes of blue set off by long curling lashes, and delicately pencilled dark brows which gave the eyes a pansy softness and made you feel when she looked at you that she meant a great deal more by the look than you had at first suspected They were wonderful, beautiful eyes, and the little company of idlers at the station were promptly bewitched by them Moreover there was a fantastic little dimple in her right cheek that flashed into view at the same time with the gleam of pearly teeth when she smiled She certainly was a picture The station looked its fill and rejoiced in her young beauty She was garbed in a dark green riding habit, the same that she wore when she rode attended by her groom in Central Park It made a sensation among the onlookers, as did the little riding cap of dark green velvet and the pretty riding gloves She sat her pony well, daintily, as though she had alighted briefly, but to their eyes strangely, and not as the women out there rode On the whole the station saw little else but the girl; all the others were mere accessories to the picture They noticed indeed that the young man, whose close cropped golden curls, and dark lashed blue eyes were so like the girl's that he could be none other than her brother, rode beside the older man who was presumably the father; and that the dark, handsome stranger rode away beside the girl Not a man of them but resented it Not a woman of them but regretted it Then Shag Bunce, with a parting word to his small but complete outfit that rode behind, put spurs to his horse, lifted his sombrero in homage to the lady, and shot to the front of the line, his shaggy mane by which came his name floating over his shoulders Out into the sunshine of a perfect day the riders went, and the group around the platform stood silently and watched until they were a speck in the distance blurring with the sunny plain and occasional ash and cottonwood trees "I seen the missionary go by early this mornin'," speculated the station agent meditatively, deliberately, as though he only had a right to break the silence "I wonder whar he could 'a' bin goin' He passed on t'other side the track er I'd 'a' ast 'im He 'peared in a turrible hurry Anybody sick over towards the canyon way?" "Buck's papoose heap sick!" muttered an immobile Indian, and shuffled off the platform with a stolid face The women heaved a sigh of disappointment and turned to go The show was out and they must return to the monotony of their lives They wondered what it would be like to ride off like that into the sunshine with cheeks like roses and eyes that saw nothing but pleasure ahead What would a life like that be? Awed, speculative, they went back to their sturdy children and their ill-kempt houses, to sit in the sun on the door-steps and muse a while Into the sunshine rode Hazel Radcliffe well content with the world, herself, and her escort Milton Hamar was good company He was keen of wit and a past-master in the delicate art of flattery That he was fabulously wealthy and popular in New York society; that he was her father's friend both socially and financially, and had been much of late in their home on account of some vast mining enterprise in which both were interested; and that his wife was said to be uncongenial and always interested in other men rather than her husband, were all facts that combined to give Hazel a pleasant, half-romantic interest in the man by her side She had been conscious of a sense of satisfaction and pleasant anticipation when her father told her that he was to be of their party His wit and gallantry would make up for the necessity of having her Aunt Maria along Aunt Maria was always a damper to anything she came near She was the personification of propriety She had tried to make Hazel think she must remain in the car and rest that day instead of going off on a wild goose chase after a mine No lady did such things, she told her niece Hazel's laugh rang out like the notes of a bird as the two rode slowly down the trail, not hurrying, for there was plenty of time They could meet the others on their way back if they did not get to the mine so soon, and the morning was lovely Milton Hamar could appreciate the beauties of nature now and then He called attention to the line of hills in the distance, and the sharp steep peak of a mountain piercing the sunlight Then skillfully he led his speech around to his companion, and showed how lovelier than the morning she was He had been indulging in such delicate flattery since they first started from New York, whenever the indefatigable aunt left them alone long enough, but this morning there was a note of something closer and more intimate in his words; a warmth of tenderness that implied unspeakable joy in her beauty, such as he had never dared to use before It flattered her pride deliciously It was beautiful to be young and charming and have a man say such things with a look like that in his eyes—eyes that had suffered, and appealed to her to pity With her young, innocent heart she did pity, and was glad she might solace his sadness a little while With consummate skill the man led her to talk of himself, his hopes in youth, his disappointments, his bitter sadness, his heart loneliness He suddenly asked her to call him Milton, and the girl with rosy cheeks and dewy eyes declared shyly that she never could, it would seem so queer, but she finally compromised after much urging on "Cousin Milton." "That will for a while," he succumbed, smiling as he looked at her with impatient eyes Then with growing intimacy in his tones he laid a detaining hand upon hers that held the bridle, and the horses both slackened their gait, though they had been far behind the rest of the party for over an hour now "Listen, little girl," he said, "I'm going to open my heart to you I'm going to tell you a secret." Hazel sat very still, half alarmed at his tone, not daring to withdraw her hand, for she felt the occasion was momentous and she must be ready with her sympathy as any true friend would be Her heart swelled with pride that it was to her he came in his trouble Then she looked up into the face that was bending over hers, and she saw triumph, not trouble, in his eyes Even then she did not understand "What is it?" she asked trustingly "Dear child!" said the man of the world impressively, "I knew you would be interested Well, I will tell you I have told you of my sorrow, now I will tell you of my joy It is this: When I return to New York I shall be a free man Everything is complete at last I have been granted a divorce from Ellen, and there remain only a few technicalities to be attended to Then we shall be free to go our ways and do as we choose." saw If there was time to get word to some of my colleagues off at their stations we should have a wedding reception that would outrival your New York affairs so far as enthusiasm and genuine hearty good will is concerned, but they are all from forty to a hundred miles away from here and it will be impossible Are you sure you are not too tired to ride back to the stopping place to-night?" He looked at her anxiously "We will hitch Billy to the wagon, and the seat has good springs I will put in plenty of cushions and you can rest on the way, and we will not attempt to come back to-night It would be too much for you." She began to protest but he went on: "No, dear, I don't mean we'll stay in that little hole where you spent last night That would be awful! But what would you say to camping in the same spot where we had our last talk? I have been there many times since and often spend the night there because of its sweet association with you It is not far, you know, from the railroad—a matter of a few minutes' ride—and there is good water We can carry my little tent and trappings, and then take as much of a wedding trip afterwards as you feel you have strength for before we return, though we shall have the rest of our lives to make one dear long wedding trip of, I hope Will that plan suit you?" "Oh, it will be beautiful," said Hazel with shining eyes "Very well, then I will get everything ready for our start and you must rest until I call you." With that he stooped and before she realized what he was doing gently lifted her from her feet and laid her down upon his couch over in the corner, spreading a many-coloured Indian blanket over her Then he deftly stirred up the fire, filled up the kettle, swung it back over the blaze, and with a smile went out to prepare Billy and the wagon Hazel lay there looking about her new home with happy eyes, noting each little touch of refinement and beauty that showed the character of the man who had lived his life alone there for three long years, and wondering if it were really herself, the lonely little struggling nurse with the bitter ache in her heart, who was feeling so happy here to-day—Hazel Radcliffe, the former New York society girl, rejoicing ecstatically because she was going to marry a poor home missionary and live in a shanty! How her friends would laugh and sneer, and how Aunt Maria would lift her hands in horror and say the family was disgraced! But it did not matter about Aunt Maria Poor Aunt Maria! She had never approved of anything that Hazel wanted to do all her life As for her brother— and here her face took on a shade of sadness—her brother was of another world than hers and always had been People said he was like his dead mother Perhaps the grand man of the desert could help her brother to better things Perhaps he would come out here to visit them and catch a vision of another kind of life and take a longing for it as she had done He could not fail at least to see the greatness of the man she had chosen There was great comfort to her in this hour to remember that her father had been interested in her missionary, and had expressed a hope that she might meet him again some day She thought her father would have been pleased at the choice she had made, for he had surely seen the vision of what was really worth while in life before he died Suddenly her eyes turned to the little square table over by the cupboard What if she should set it? She sprang up and suited the action to the thought Almost as a child might handle her first pewter set Hazel took the dishes from the shelves and arranged them on the table They were pretty china dishes, with a fine old sprigged pattern of delicate flowers She recognized them as belonging to his mother's set, and handled them reverently It almost seemed as if that mother's presence was with her in the room as she prepared the table for her first meal with the beloved son She found a large white towel in the cupboard drawer that she spread on the rough little table, and set the delicate dishes upon it: two plates, two cups and saucers, knives and forks—two of everything! How it thrilled her to think that in a little while she would belong here in this dear house, a part of it, and that they two would have a right to sit together at this table through the years There might come hardships and disappointments—of course there would She was no fool! Life was full of disappointments for everybody, as well as of beautiful surprises! But come what would she knew by the thrill in her heart that she would never be sorry for this day in which she had promised to become the wife of the man of the desert, and she would always cherish the memory of this her first setting of the little table, and let it make all future settings of that table a holy ordinance She found a can of soup in the cupboard, and made it hot in a small saucepan on the fire, and set forth on the table crackers and cheese, a glass of jelly, a small bottle of stuffed olives and some little cakes she had brought with her in her suitcase She had thought she might need something of the sort when she landed in Arizona, for there was no telling but she might have to ride across the desert to find her missionary; and sure enough that had been the case It looked very cozy when Brownleigh came in to say that the wagon was ready and he thought he saw the Indian in the dusk coming across the plain, but he stopped short without speech, for here before him was the picture which his mind and heart had painted for him many a time: this girl, the one girl in all the earth for him, kneeling beside his hearth and dishing up the steaming soup into the hot dishes, the firelight playing on her sweet face and golden hair, and every line and motion of her graceful body calling for his adoration! So he stood for one long minute and feasted his hungry eyes upon the sight, until she turned and saw his heart in his eyes, and her own face grew rosy with the joy and the meaning of it all And so they sat down to their first meal in the little house together, and then having sent the Indian back to the fort with a message, they took their way forth in the starlight together to begin their wedding journey XVII DEDICATION Billy made good time in spite of the fact that he had been out all day on parishional work, but he knew who he was hauling, and seemed to take deep satisfaction in having Hazel back again, for now and again he would turn back towards the wagon when they stopped for water and whinny happily They reached the stopping place about nine o'clock, and the news that the missionary was going to be married spread like wildfire among the men and out to the neighbouring shacks In no time a small crowd had collected about the place, peering out of the starlit darkness Hazel retired to the forlorn little chamber where she had spent the night before and rummaged in her trunk for bridal apparel In a few minutes she emerged into the long dining-room where the table had been hastily cleared and moved aside, and upon which the boarders were now seated in long rows, watching the proceedings curiously She was dressed in a simple white muslin, touched here and there with exquisite hand embroidery and tiny cobwebby edges of real lace The missionary caught his breath as he saw her come out to him, and the rough faces of the men softened as they watched her The white-haired bishop arose to meet her and welcomed her in a fatherly way he had, and the woman who kept the stopping place came following in Hazel's wake, hastily wiping her hands on her apron, and casting it behind her as she entered She had been preparing an impromptu supper out of any materials that happened to be at hand, but she could not miss the ceremony if the coffee did burn Weddings did not come her way every day In the doorway, his stolid face shining in the glare of many candles, stood the Indian from the fort He had followed silently behind the couple to witness the proceedings, well knowing he would be forgiven by his mistress at the fort when he told his news The missionary was well beloved—and the missionary was going to be married! What would the four hundred of her own select New York circle have said could they have seen Hazel Radcliffe standing serene, in her simple gown, with her undecked golden hair, in the midst of that motley company of men, with only three curious slatternly women in the background to keep her company, giving herself away to a man who had dedicated his life to work in the desert? But Hazel's happy heart was serenely unconscious of the incongruity of her surroundings, and she answered with a clear ring to her voice as the bishop asked her the questions: "I will." She was coming gladly to her new home It was her own ring, the ring she had given him, that John Brownleigh put upon her hand in token of his loyalty and love for her, the ring that for a whole year had lain next his own heart and comforted its loneliness because she had given it, and now he gave it back because she had given him herself Graciously she placed her small white hand in the rough awkward ones of the men who came to offer her congratulations, half stumbling over their own feet in their awe and wonder at her beauty It was to them as if an angel from heaven had suddenly dropped down and condescended to walk their daily path in sight of them all Cheerfully she swallowed the stale cake and muddy coffee that the slatternly landlady produced, and afterwards, as she was being helped to get back into her riding dress, bestowed upon her a little lilac wool frock from her trunk that the woman admired greatly From that moment the landlady of the stopping place was a new creature Missions and missionaries had been nothing to her through the years, but she believed in them forever after, and donned her new lilac gown in token of her faith in Christianity Thus Hazel won her first convert, who afterwards proved her fidelity in time of great trial, and showed that even a lilac gown may be an instrument of good Out into the starlight together again they rode, with the blessing of the bishop upon them, and the cheers of the men still sounding in their ears "I wish mother could have known," said the bridegroom as he drew his bride close within his arm and looked down upon her nestling by his side "Oh, I think she does!" said Hazel as she dropped a thankful, weary head against his shoulder Then the missionary stooped and gave his wife a long, tender kiss, and raising his head and lifting his eyes to the starlit sky he said reverently: "Oh, my Father, I thank Thee for this wonderful gift Make me worthy of her Help her never to regret that she has come to me." Hazel crept her hand into his free one, and laid her lips upon his fingers, and prayed all quietly by herself for gladness So they rode out to their camp beneath God's sky Three days later an Indian on the way to the fort turned aside with a message for Hazel—a telegram It read: "Arrived safe Married Burley to once so I could see to him Do come home right away Burley says come and live with us Answer right away I can't enjoy my new home worrying about you "Yours respectful, "AMELIA ELLEN STOUT BURLEY." With laughter and tears Hazel read the telegram whose price must have cost the frugal New England conscience a twinge, and after a moment's thought wrote an answer to send back by the messenger "DEAR AMELIA ELLEN: Love and congratulations for you both I was married to John Brownleigh the night you left Come out and see us when your husband gets well, and perhaps we'll visit you when we come East I am very happy "HAZEL RADCLIFFE BROWNLEIGH." When good Amelia Ellen read that telegram she wiped her spectacles a second time and read it over to see that she had made no mistake, and then she set her toil-worn hands upon her hips and surveyed the prone but happy Burley in dazed astonishment, ejaculating: "Fer the land sake! Now did you ever? Fer the land! Was that what she was up to all the time? I thought she was wonderful set to go, and wonderful set to stay, but I never sensed what was up Ef I'd 'a' knowed, I suppose I'd 'a' stayed another day Why didn't she tell me, I wonder! Well, fer the land sake!" And Burley murmured contentedly: "Wal, I'm mighty glad you never knowed, Amelia Ellen!" The Novels of Grace Livingston Hill May be had wherever books are sold Ask for Grosset & Dunlap's list Many thousands of readers have found inspiration and happiness in reading the novels of Grace Livingston Hill In her charming romances there is a sympathetic buoyant spirit that conquers discouragement, which teaches that true love and happiness will come out of the worst trial Amorelle The Voice in the Wilderness The Ransom The Beloved Stranger Patch of Blue Happiness Hill Kerry The Challengers The Chance of a Lifetime The City of Fire Silver Wings Cloudy Jewel Ladybird Dawn of the Morning The White Lady The Enchanted Barn The Gold Shoe Exit Betty Found Treasure The Finding of Jasper Holt Blue Ruin The Girl from Montana The Prodigal Girl Lo, Michael Duskin The Man of the Desert Crimson Roses Marcia Schuyler Out of the Storm Phoebe Deane The Honor Girl Job's Niece A New Name Ariel Custer The Best Man Re-Creations The Red Signal Tomorrow About This Time The Tryst The Witness Not Under the Law The White Flower GROSSET & DUNLAP Publishers NEW YORK LIDA LARRIMORE'S POPULAR NOVELS About the kind of people all of us like to know May be had wherever books are sold Ask for Grosset & Dunlap's list Each new story by Lida Larrimore proves to be even more popular than the last Her books satisfy that tender mood that wants lightness and youth and beauty; that wants to be stirred by the heartaches of love and its charm TWO KEYS TO A CABIN NO LOVELIER SPRING TRUE BY THE SUN JONATHAN'S DAUGHTER ROBIN HILL THE SILVER FLUTE MULBERRY SQUARE THE WAGON AND THE STAR TARPAPER PALACE GROSSET & DUNLAP Publishers NEW YORK Transcriber's Notes Obvious punctuation errors repaired The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will appear End of Project Gutenberg's The Man of the Desert, by Grace Livingston Hill *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MAN OF THE DESERT *** ***** This file should be 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had been one long fairy tale of